Writer/Director: Kabir Khan
Starring: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Nawazuddin Siddiqui
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in India have created comedies as beloved as Salman Khan. Ever since his stardom in the 1990’s, Khan has proven to be one of the greatest actors in Bollywood. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, terrorists in danger or professional wrestlers, Khan has suggested he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his comic timing. Khan has always excelled at making comedies with a sense of humour. Through his abilities to portray characters which are compelling, Khan has established a legacy which has proven to be compelling. Despite having reached age of retirement, Khan has never lost his strong passion for producing iconic entertainment. An iconic legend in India, Khan has become a strong legend in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout a groundbreaking career, Khan has created several strong movies that are absolutely worth watching.
I’m a big fan of Khan and adore all the films which he has made in his career. However, “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” definitely stands out as his most emotional film. Released in 2015, Kabir Khan’s film offered a powerful portrait of mute Pakistani girls. Packed with strong visuals, spellbinding storytelling and brilliant acting, it’s a breathtaking Bollywood action drama. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Salman Khan, who portrays a heroic man seeking to rescue a mute girl in danger. Ultimately, what makes “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” a Bollywood masterpiece is bold appeal. Unlike most Bollywood films about Pakistan, it tackles themes which everyone would relate to. A breathtaking Bollywood masterpiece about missing children, there are many reasons why “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” is worth watching.
“Bajrangi Bhaijaan” tells the story of a mute girl separated from her parents miles away from home of Pakistan. Harshaali Malholtra portrays Shahida, a young mute girl with a curiosity about the world. Shahida shares a powerful connection with her parents whom she loves dearly. However, Shahida’s life is forever changed when she’s torn apart from her mother. Left alone in India, Shahida is forced to question whether it’s possible for her to survive on her own in a country that faces disability stigma. All hope seems to be lost for Shahida until she gets rescued by Pawan Kumar (Salman Khan). Pawan is a heroic man that’s determined to ensure that Shahida is reunited with her family. Assisted by her newfound companion, Shahida seeks to embark upon an adventure to reunite with her lost family.
Kabir Khan is fascinated with the themes of India-Pakistan relationships. An exceptional filmmaker, Khan has often made engaging films about the tensions between India and Pakistan. His award-winning movie “Ek Tha Tiger” offered a powerful portrait of agents seeking to battle terrorism in Pakistan. With “Bajrangi Bhaijaan”, however, Khan created his first disability drama. It was Khan’s first attempt to capture struggle experienced by mute Pakistani girls enduring adversity but he pulled it off successfully. Using stunning cinematography, Khan captured a mute girl on a journey to find identity. Emulating Jane Campion’s “The Piano”, Khan expertly uses montages to convey hardship that’s faced by scars mute girls. For instance, montages elevate the missing children scene. During this heartfelt scene, Shahida goes missing in a train that leaves her mother devastated. Using montages, Khan creates a portrait of mute girls that’s compelling. Montages are tricky techniques. As Karan Johar’s “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” claimed, montages elevate Bollywood movies about college. However, it works immensely in this movie. Using strong visuals, Khan captures hardships mute girls are facing.
Another aspect of “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best movies Salman Khan has ever made. Kabir Khan has always excelled at staging music scenes in movies, and “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” demonstrated his strengths as a filmmaker. Khan effectively uses cross-cutting to stage musical sequences that are engaging. For instance, the cross-cutting enhances the Tu Chahiye song. During this memorable song, Pawan has an affair with Rasika expressing his love through music. Moreover, the music score is phenomenal. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that mute girls bear. Using stunning production, Khan captures mute girls on a mission.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” is a Bollywood movie that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and uses silence to convey intense hardships mute girls experience. Evoking Robert Mulligan’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Khan successfully uses silence to capture bonds between mute children. For instance, silence enhances the farewell scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Pawan faces the state of silence as he bids farewell to Munni. Through silence, Khan creates a portrait of disabilities audiences can relate to. Silence is a complex technique to use in movies. As Abhinav Kashyap’s “Dabangg” suggested, silence enhances Bollywood action movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Using a strong screenplay, Khan created a powerful portrait of disability.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Salman Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Pawan. Khan first earned appreciation for portraying action heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Bajrangi Bhaijaan”, however, he took on his most emotional role. It isn’t easy to portray an Indian man going on a journey to rescue a child from tragedy but he succeeds immensely. This is the star unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and vulnerable in his most bold role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentments faced by an Indian man on missions. It’s a strong performance from one of the most beloved actors in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Salman Khan, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Kareena Kapoor is captivating, bringing charisma to a woman that falls in love with a devout man facing a dilemma. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is spectacular, capturing the fierce personality of a journalist that’s desperate to achieve recognition in a competitive country. Lastly, Sharat Saxena merits appreciations. As an elderly father, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” would earn the appreciation of everyone offering a strong portrait of Pakistan. Unlike most Bollywood movies about Pakistan, it offers a respectful portrait of the country. It tackles compelling themes such as bravery, parenting and child abduction which would absolutely resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with Pakistan to enjoy it. Therefore, “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” is one of those special Bollywood films that everyone will definitely adore.
Fans of Salman Khan would definitely enjoy “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” and so would audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment. A riveting Bollywood drama, it honours an actor that’s beloved in India.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a mute girl embarking on a journey to unite with her long lost family, it’s a spellbinding reminder of a beloved Indian actor that has built an enduring legacy through his ability to portray compelling comedic characters in unforgettable movies which audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 